Skip to content

Elevate Stories

Elevate Hennepin advising ‘a huge help’ for Perfect Piece Sweets Co.

Melanie Lewis in her kitchen making treats for her business Perfect Piece Sweets Co.

Elevate Hennepin advising ‘a huge help’ for Perfect Piece Sweets Co.

When Melanie Lewis started Perfect Piece Sweets Company, she knew everything about desserts, but not much about business.

Coming out of the restaurant industry, she spent more time in the kitchen than the office.  She started selling treats herself, but quickly realized she needed some systems in place to build a sustainable business. 

“When I first started the business, I knew nothing about business. At restaurant everything is done for you, my job was just to make sure desserts were made,” said Melanie. “When you're running your own business, it’s like where do I start?” 

She reached out to Elevate Hennepin and found restaurant expert and business consultant Victor Jones. For 25 hours, he offered support and guidance based on his deep restaurant experience.

“Elevate Hennepin really helped out with my business. My consultant, Victor Jones, has been a huge help, he has been in my business especially with pricing and profit and loss and understanding all that,” said Melanie. 

When Melanie needed to figure out her accounting process, Victor referred her to one of the several financial management advisors for further support. 

“Then it just went from there. So, it's really just been like one referral from the next with Elevate Hennepin. It has really helped me to understand business,” said Melanie. 

Melanie credits Elevate Hennepin with the guidance she needed to transform the dream that started in her apartment into a real, sustainable business based out of Hopkins.

Hear her story and see her delectable treats in the video below.

To join Melanie and find an advisor that can support your business goals, visit the Elevate Hennepin resource directory today.

Show all resources

Get connected to professional resources, tools, and guidance from business experts.

Schedule a consultation

Meet one-on-one with a Business Navigator to assess your best next step.

Real businesses, real stories.

A checkmark on a blackboard.

Step-by-step: Renew your business in Minnesota

Most businesses in Hennepin County must file an annual renewal with the Minnesota Secretary of State by December 31 to stay active.

Minnesota paid leave logo

Minnesota Paid Leave: What to know and do

Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program begins January 1, 2026. Employers across Hennepin County must prepare now.  

Related upcoming events

Dec 22

Small business support

A representative from the City of Minneapolis Small Business Team will meet with business owners and entrepreneurs to share resources.
Jan 09

Employment tax seminar

Attend this seminar to learn about your employment tax requirements with “real world” situations.

 

Jan 14

How small businesses can build visibility & trust online

In this session, you’ll learn the essential building blocks of effective social media marketing: how to choose the right platforms for your goals, create meaningful content that resonates, maintain consistency without burning out, and engage with your audience in an authentic, sustainable way.